MB: Resolve barricade row or we'll step in
The Selangor government has given the parties involved in a road closure row in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) seven days to resolve the dispute, failing which the state government would step in.
The Selangor government has given the parties involved in a road closure row in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) seven days to resolve the dispute, failing which the state government would step in.
The decision was made following a meeting between Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, BMC developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd, Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) yesterday.
"If they can’t resolve it, then the menteri besar would be compelled to state his stand on the matter," said Khalid’s political secretary, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Nik Nazmi, who conveyed Khalid’s decision to the press yesterday, said Grand Saga was concerned over potential losses should the barricade be removed.
"The menteri besar has given them one week to resolve the matter with the MHA and the federal government," he added.
A similar meeting between the four parties is expected to take place sometime next week.
Barricade gone, for now
The dispute revolves around Grand Saga’s attempt to erect a barricade on a toll-free road linking BMC to the Cheras-Kajang Highway. The barricade forces residents to take a 6km detour and pay an extra RM0.90 in toll charges to travel to Kuala Lumpur.
The dispute had been ongoing despite the Selangor Survey and Mapping Department (Jupem) and Land Office having confirmed that the land where the barricade sits belongs to the state government.
Asked why BMC residents were not invited to the meeting yesterday, Nik Nazmi said that the matter was purely a business and court matter.
He added that the residents were not invited to avoid any emotional outburst that could disrupt the meeting.
Bolstered by the March 8 general election results which saw Selangor falling into the hands of Pakatan Rakyat, BMC residents have torn down the barricade several times.
Grand Saga responded each time by re-erecting the barricade. However, the barricade had yet to be re-erected after residents tore it down on May 10.
The day before, the police had used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the disgruntled residents.
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